Citation

Rosenberg M, Mehta N, Rosenberg L, Ramirez M, Meyer WJ, Herndon DN, Andersen CR, Thomas C. Burns 2015; 41(8): 1823-1830.

Affiliation

Shriners Hospitals for Children, Shriners Burns Hospital, Galveston, TX 77550, USA; Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.burns.2015.06.006

PMID

26182828

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare psychological difficulties experienced during the initial acute hospitalization and the last follow up visit for children with electrical injuries (EI) and children without electrical injuries (non-EI). We hypothesized that children with electrical burns would have different psychological outcomes.

METHODS: This retrospective study compared emotional and cognitive functioning of EI patients and a matched group of survivors of other burns.

RESULTS: Medical records of 67 patients with and without EI were reviewed. For the EI group, the mean age at injury was 12.6±3.9 years, the mean age at follow up was 15.5±4.6 years, and mean TBSA 32±21%. For the Non-EI group, the mean age at injury was 12.4±3.9 years, the mean age at follow up was 14.5±4.7 years, and mean TBSA 32±21.5%. During the acute hospitalization, a significant difference was found between the groups in the area of neuropathic pain (Chi-square tests p<0.011). Individuals with EI were more likely to have acute stress disorder/post-traumatic stress disorder as well as amnesia of the accident than the controls; however, this did not reach statistical significance. No differences were found between the groups in other psychological areas. Follow up information from the last documented psychology/psychiatric visit revealed an equal number of patients experienced anxiety disorders, depression, grief, behavioral problems, and cognitive difficulties.

CONCLUSIONS: Some differences were evident between the groups immediately after injury; however, long term outcomes were similar.

Language: en